Timor-Leste Launches Media Guide Ahead Of ASEAN Accession
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The government of Timor-Leste has launched a comprehensive media guide to assist media practitioners covering the country’s historic accession to ASEAN on Oct 26.
Available in English and Tetum, the guide provides background information, key facts, multimedia resources and logistical details for national and international media reporting on Timor-Leste’s formal entry as ASEAN’s 11th member state during the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which will be held from Oct 26 to 28 here.
“The guide aims to equip media members with the tools to accurately convey the significance of ASEAN membership for Timor-Leste’s 1.3 million citizens and our future as part of a region of over 680 million people. This is a story of perseverance, partnership and regional cooperation,” the government said in a statement on its official portal.
The publication also outlines Timor-Leste’s 14-year journey from its ASEAN membership application in 2011 to full accession, highlighting the economic and diplomatic opportunities the membership will bring.
Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002 and became an ASEAN observer in 2022, will be formally admitted as the bloc’s newest member during the summit hosted by Malaysia.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN currently comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
With Timor-Leste’s inclusion, the bloc expands to 11 members representing a combined GDP of over US$3.8 trillion (US$1 = RM4.22).
-- BERNAMA
